How exactly do you all do it?

Kippsy

I prefer to go to Tesco alone as my OH is awful for picking things we don't need! But when he does come he pushes the trolley and does most of the lifting and carrying, which is nice!

I would say never go to the supermarket without a list! even spend a couple of days doind the list to make sure you have everything you need, I have a notepad stuffed in my kitchen cupboard to add stuff to when I remember. Then if you both know you only want and need what is on the list hopefully you can cut out the impulses a bit.

Toothpaste and brushes are always BOGOF in our house, I only buy a BOGOF if it is something I would normally buy.

I can understand what you are saying about public transport, my OH and I often work ridiculous hours (though him more than me ) are there no travel cards or books of tickets you can get for the buses?

squeaky

There are shopping tips "How to shop" which I'm pretty sure is in the Welcome sticky at the top of the page which I'm sure will help, and there's also a shopping section in the MEGA Index which will also provide a few more pointers.

squeaky

Oh yes, lists...

I cut a sheet of A4 paper (junkmail) into thirds longways. I fold this in half and keep it in my back pocket. There is at least one pen (free through the mail from charities, thank you all) in every room in the house. Anything I run out of or remember I need to make something for my (very rough) menu plan gets put on the list ON THE SPOT. This because if I don't write it down straight away I'll forget.

Menu plans can be as complicate or simple as you like. Mine looks something like this:

Monday
Something with mince. (chilli this week, or maybe cottage pie)

Tuesday
Salad. (ploughman's lunch style or maybe with that bit of leftover ham)

Wednesday
Cicken. (gotta be a curry 'cos I haven't had one lately)

Thursday
Salad. (with some of the chicken that was set aside yesterday before currying it)

Friday
Soup. (lost of veg in it and probly some mince set aside from Monday before cooking)

Saturday.
Sarnies. Ham'n'Cheese with any bits of leftover salad in.

Sunday
Toad in the hole with leftover (frozen) mash and any veggies left.

Next Monday
Think of a meal to use up any veg or salad that you might have leftover, plus any meat... curry or soup...?

That's the MOST planning I do.

henhog

Loads of useful tips and advice here, thanks everyone. Since I have used this site and Martin's books I have rediscovered cooking and I have cut my spending significantly. My other half isn't OS at all - he loves to spend, but since I am the Gordon Brown of this family, he only has his own allowance to squander, plus the fact he often buys the booze that we both drink!

My main tip for sticking to a budget is to buy shops own value brands. I use Tesco/ Asda value fabric conditioner - 30p and smells lovely, value beans, spag in tomato sauce, pasta, silver foil, cleaning clothes, squash, pitta breads, apples, soap, bubble bath, fish for the cats, tissues, kitchen roll, tinned kidney beans etc. I never tell OH what's value and what isn't and he never can tell.

I also buy ready to make up bread mix, I don't have a bread maker, but I find I actually enjoy making the bread and it saves just nipping to the Co op for bread and then buying something else.

Another good tip from Martin's book is to withdraw less cash than you normally would from the cash point and only go once a week. I agree with others - if it is in your purse you will spend it, if it isn't you don't. I like the idea of spend free days - don't take money out with you, that way you just can't spend it!

Womble_2-2

Thanks to everyone for their advice. I'm now a lot more motivated than I was just lurking! :j

MATH is right, because I know if I get to the checkout and it's more than the cash I've got on me, I can use my CC. I'm going to try the 2 days a week spending thing and also the £1.00 a meal thing. I'm also going to give on-line shopping a go. (Mr Womble is dead against it as he thinks we'll spend more because of the delivery fee, but I've explained about the vouchers, so hopefully I'll prove him wrong!

Debt was cleared by the shock of discovering a junior Womble on the way _pale_ , spending stopped and saving began, I've just lost the plot a bit now. I'm quite good for a few days/weeks, then I have the urge to spend !

Rebob

dh may be off work a few weeks so I am shopping at aldi / netto to reduce the shopping bills together with a bit of storecupboard challenge thrown in. I even put something in the bank yesterday which was an unusual event.

jaybee

I don't use cash 'cos it tends to burn a hole in my pocket!!! I try to stick to my list and use my Debit Card. I would like to use my Credit Crad (so that I could get extra Nectar Points or Cash Back - whatever) BUT I can't trust myself not to overspend just yet!! It's way too easy to overspend (for me, anyway) so I'm really trying hard to keep in control. Not too easy when I've got to cater for 15 people on Sunday and 4 extra all week!!!

squeaky

Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I avoid using a card like the plague. It's far too easy to ignore a budget and impulse buy if I know that my card will cover it.

So I use cash. It's not some figure kept in cyber space accessed with a bit of plastic and whose balance is ALWAYS behind my actual one. It's real, in my pocket and can be checked instantly and accurately. I can check my balance as I go through the month and know for sure that I've either got to cut back on spending or that I can allow myself a treat or two without going over budget.

I was forever getting in trouble when I used cards. Haven't been overdrawn for over four years now - which is quite a trick when you're on benefits

jaybee

Good on you Squeaky! I guess I'm just a slow learner but I'm getting there at last - thanks to the inspiration of everyone on here. I am constantly humbled and helped by this site (especially OS). For the first time in what must be 20 years I am not in debt to Credit Cards or any other sort of debt. I still worry, and it's still a struggle sometimes but, hey, I even nearly enjoying it!!! (Masochist!!!)

BoltonMinx

Im still a credit card queen but Im awful with cash in my purse, it soon goes on lunches, snacks and the like. I withdraw £10 for the week for transport, leaving me £3 snack money, dont use it much as I take a packed lunch. If I get lifts then I just top it up to £10 the next week.

I have all my budgets in two columns in my spiral notebook so I just cross out the figures each time i spend something. Im quite sad, but I do love my spiral notebook. It lives in my bag and gets taken out whenever something breaks and needs replacing or we run out of something in the kitchen.

I also make a note of all big purchases, how urgently I need them and the cheapest price Ive seen them so far. That way if I find a bargain I can check if I need it and how much my budget currently has left in it. I was recently tempted by a bargain buy vacuum cleaner, but just flipping my notebook and seeing the 11 items I really did need cooled my jets.

I also pay off the credit card every month, use vouchers for my online shopping and always ask if I can get a deal when I shop,even in pubs! - HTH.